Why is jihad important to muslims?

Answer 1

All the Muslims have never waged the so called Holy War - Jehaad. This is untrue.

The issue of the Jehaad has been unnecessarily blown up to blame the Muslim world. To support their claim, they have read some verses of the Qur'an and proclaimed that Jehaad has been mentioned in the Qur'an

It has been mentioned in the Qur'an - there is no doubt about it but every single verse of the Qur'an has 7, 70, 700 meanings, as Imaam Ja'far as-Saadiq (as) has said. Depending on the mere translation of the Qur'an is incorrect and too shallow to explain the essence of the Qur'an

Recently, in India, the leading Muslim scholars have regarded all such anti-human activities under the banner of Islaam and Jehaad as unlawful and anti-islaamic.

Answer 2

it means to submit ourselves to believe in the oneness of god and in the book of Islam (Quran)

There is, perhaps, no term today that is more misunderstood than the term "jihad". Nowadays, the word jihad has solely come to signify "holy war", terrorism, or the mass murder of innocent people. However, what is jihad really about and what is its correct meaning? The term jihad is in fact derived from the Arabic verb "jahada", which linguistically means to strive or struggle. In Islam, however, jihad means to exhaust utmost effort striving to please God. This, unsurprisingly, includes fighting, as fighting is a form of struggle. In fact, majority of the time the term jihad is mentioned in the Qur'an it means "fighting in the way of God" (for His sake), and to make His Word the highest. The one who engages in jihad is called a mujaahid; the plural is mujaahideen.

Jihad is a very important part of Islam. Unlike Christians, Muslims do not believe in the idea of "love thy enemy" or turning the other cheek when we are attacked. Instead, we believe in the divine principle, "fight those who fight you." This general guideline and rule agrees with our human nature and survival instinct. That is because it is only natural for one to retaliate against aggression and defend one's life, property and wealth from any external attack.

Sadly, this basic human right - the right to defend oneself - is nowadays denied to Muslims by modern-day democracies and so-called free nations, such as Britain and the USA. This is clearly evident in the fact that Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Chechnya and Kashmir who are resisting the brutal occupation of their lands are continually branded and portrayed as terrorists and violent extremists by Western powers.

On top of this, any Muslim in the West that has the fortitude to condemn the evil actions of Coalition forces is similarly branded as a "terrorist sympathiser" or accused of "glorifying terrorism" for believing in the right of Muslims to defend their land from occupation. It is not even allowed for us to discuss the causes of 9/11 or 7/7 - in order to gain lessons - without fear of being labelled a terrorist fanatic.

The irony of this situation is that if tomorrow Britain is under occupation, every Briton would consider it their right, without any question, to fight for their country and defend their land, even if such actions were deemed terrorism by other nations.

So, in summary, jihad does not translate as "holy war" or the killing of innocent people. It is to strive, with utmost effort, to please God and fight in His way. It is famously reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The best form of jihad is to speak the truth in the face of a tyrant ruler."(Abu Daawud and Al-Tirmidhi)

The greatest tyrants today are those who prefer the rule of man over the laws of God (Sharia law). Jihad and the establishment of Sharia law on earth are the only two things which will unite all people, of all races, and rid the world of oppression, poverty and corruption for good.

Answer 3

Literally the word Jihad means 'struggle, striving, doing effort'. In Islam, Jihad means striving in the Way of Almighty Allah (God). In fact it is the Sacred Struggle made to maintain peace in human society which everybody should do irrespective of his religion.

Very unfortunetely, most of the non-Muslims, and many of the Muslims mis-understand Jihad. They confuse it with 'Killing'. It is not true. Jihad in Islam is of many kinds. The highest is 'striving' to control one's own animal, ruthless, brutal and evil passions. It is very difficult to remain cool and composed in the face of aggression. Islam demands 'patience' from its followers. Speaking truth, refraining from corruption of all kinds, being just to all humans and even all creatures, being honest in all matters of life, and being steadfast and upright in the face of temptation are among the actions which are the demand of Jihad of the Highest kind.

Preaching Islam by the word of mouth and practicing it in one's daily life is also Jihad. Spending money in the way of Almighty Allah, doing acts of charity, helping the needy and the poor is also Jihad.

When the enemies of Islam attack the Muslims, the Muslims must take up arms if negotiation fails and there is no alternative but to fight. Almighty Allah says in the holy Qur'an:

Sura (chapter) Al-Baqra-2: Aya: 190; "Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you, --But do not transgress limits. For Allah does not love transgressors. Aya-193: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah, but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who are oppressors."

Thus it must be clear in the minds of the true Muslims that killing human beings in the name of religion is not permitted in Islam. Killing of one innocent human being irrespective of his religion, caste, color or country is like killing of all human beings in the Eyes of Almighty Allah (God). Almighty Allah has created all human beings and loves them all.

Jihad is important to Muslims because it has been ordained by Almighty Allah.

Answer 4

Literally the word Jihad means 'struggle, striving, doing effort'. In Islam, Jihad means striving in the Way of Almighty Allah (God). In fact it is the Sacred Struggle made to maintain peace in human society which everybody should do irrespective of his religion.

Very unfortunately, most of the non-Muslims, and many of the Muslims mis-understand Jihad. They confuse it with 'Killing'. It is not true. Jihad in Islam is of many kinds. The highest is 'striving' to control one's own animal, ruthless, brutal and evil passions. It is very difficult to remain cool and composed in the face of aggression. Islam demands 'patience' from its followers. Speaking truth, refraining from corruption of all kinds, being just to all humans and even all creatures, being honest in all matters of life, and being steadfast and upright in the face of temptation are among the actions which are the demand of Jihad of the Highest kind.

Preaching Islam by the word of mouth and practicing it in one's daily life is also Jihad. Spending money in the way of Almighty Allah, doing acts of charity, helping the needy and the poor is also Jihad.

When the enemies of Islam attack the Muslims, the Muslims must take up arms if negotiation fails and there is no alternative but to fight. Almighty Allah says in the holy Qur'an:

Sura (chapter) Al-Baqra-2: Aya: 190; "Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you, --But do not transgress limits. For Allah does not love transgressors. Aya-193: And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah, but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who are oppressors."

Thus it must be clear in the minds of the true Muslims that killing human beings in the name of religion is not permitted in Islam. Killing of one innocent human being irrespective of his religion, caste, color or country is like killing of all human beings in the Eyes of Almighty Allah (God). Almighty Allah has created all human beings and loves them all.

Jihad is important to Muslims because it has been ordained by Almighty Allah.

Answer 5

First, we should clarify that there are two types of jihad. Greater Jihad, which is an introspective journey to conquer your internal demons and follow the Divine Laws more closely than previously, is a practice to promote a person's piety. Lesser Jihad is usually brought to life in the form of warfare between Muslims and Non-Muslims or other Muslims, but can also be expressed in non-violent protest or debate.

Muslims are quick to point out that the attacking of civilians is a violation of the terms of a Lesser Jihad, but there are serious debates in the Islamic communities worldwide as to what a "civilian" is. A number of leading Sheikhs, including Egypt's Qaradawi, for example, have held that since almost all Israelis are drafted in the Israeli Defense Forces, there is no civilian population in Israel and targeting Israeli non-combatants is NOT a violation of the jihad requirements to avoid civilian deaths. Bin Laden and his ilk have expanded these rulings to say that all people in a democracy publicly vote on the government and are, therefore, responsible for its decisions. In that way, targeting the non-combatants in a democracy would NOT be a violation of the jihad requirements to avoid civilian deaths. Muslims who follow these perspectives are willing to perform violent acts against civilians. In most cases, these civilians are Non-Muslims.

One particularly recent example of Non-Muslims killed in a declared jihad are the Assyrian Christians and Yazidis being hunted down by ISIL in northern Iraq. Whether ISIL is properly within the terms of a Lesser Jihad when it performs these activities is hotly debated in Islamic circles, but it is incorrect to say that Non-Muslims are not being killed as a result of something that is, at least facially, a jihad. Other examples include the Palestinian Intifadas which primarily targeted Jewish Israeli civiians, the Mumbai bombing which targeted primarily Hindu Indian civilians, etc.

Answer 6

Assuming that you are referring to Jihad exclusively in the sense of warfare, which excludes the Greater Jihad of Introspection and the Lesser Jihad of Intellectual Discourse and Public Policy changing, it is completely incorrect to say that "all Muslims" wage holy jihad.

If all of the various Muslim-led terrorist, paramilitary, and jihadist organizations' membership are added, even bearing in mind that this includes groups whose primary motives may not be exclusively religious (like the PKK) and individuals in those organizations who perform no military action (like Hezbollah-employed welfare-coordinators), we reach less than 1% of the worldwide Muslim population. Of course, this in no way makes striving against militant Jihad and Jihadism any less important, but to argue that this is an act that the entire Muslim population engages in is the height of fantasy.

Answer 7

Muslims believe in jihad because it is a tenet of Islam and a religious duty to strive in the way of God.

However, we must clarify that there are two forms of Jihad: the Greater Jihad and the Lesser Jihad. The Greater Jihad is an introspective journey to conquer your internal demons and follow the Divine Laws more closely than previously; this kind of jihad should be entirely peaceful. The Lesser Jihad refers to conflicts and confrontations between Muslims and Non-Muslims or other Muslims, which often erupt in war, but can also be performed through non-violent protests, debate, and advocacy. It is the Lesser Jihad which is often cast as a Holy War.Answer this question...

Answer 8

Jihad is a tenet of Islam and a religious duty to strive in the way of God. As a result it is a key aspect of observing the faith.